# refrain vs restrain

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### refrain
*verb · IPA /ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #12,486*
To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).

### restrain
*verb · IPA /ɹɪˈstɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #20,477*
To control or keep in check.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refrain-vs-restrain